"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions." - Ronald Reagan

You can check out the link to my beekeeping facebook page. See my signature line.Lots of good photos there. Thank

Rob,I took a quick peek at your facebook page....looks like you've got an impressive setup and are quite involved for someone 1 year in. I'm in my first year also, started mid January and can fully relate to the "caught the bug" sentiment. I always tell everyone that Beekeeping in addictive.

Would have thought AHB would be a problem in your area? :?

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"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions." - Ronald Reagan

You would think so, right. AHB is something that has to be closely watched around here. Furtunately, I have not had any issues, but again I've only been at it for a year. All my queens are open mated and some are at least third generation. All my original stock comes from local beekeeper how also open mates.

So far, the only trait that I can see in some of my bees that is AHB typical, is runniess (sp?) and I try (or at least think that I am) nip that in the bud, ASAP. I think that most of my bees are quite gentle and stay on the comb well. Go figure...

You would think so, right. AHB is something that has to be closely watched around here. Furtunately, I have not had any issues, but again I've only been at it for a year. All my queens are open mated and some are at least third generation. All my original stock comes from local beekeeper how also open mates.

So far, the only trait that I can see in some of my bees that is AHB typical, is runniess (sp?) and I try (or at least think that I am) nip that in the bud, ASAP. I think that most of my bees are quite gentle and stay on the comb well. Go figure...

Rob,That's awesome, looking at your photos and your protective gear, or should I say lack of it :), it was pretty obvious that your bees don't have AHB traits. From some stories I've heard I kind of had the impression that what you're doing couldn't be done in that area...Nice to know that's not the case.

Again, welcome to the forum.

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"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions." - Ronald Reagan

Nice! Welcome! My folks have a house in Tuscon. I typically HATE big cities, or i should say the PEOPLE in big cities, but Tuscon seems to somehow escape the plague of angry immoral uncaring people that plague other large cities I have been to. Always enjoy myself when there!!!

Nice! Welcome! My folks have a house in Tuscon. I typically HATE big cities, or i should say the PEOPLE in big cities, but Tuscon seems to somehow escape the plague of angry immoral uncaring people that plague other large cities I have been to. Always enjoy myself when there!!!

Well, OldMech, I agree. Tucson, to me, is a large small town, not a shabby place to live.

I did design my bee suite to increase my awareness and to be very sensitive to AFB traits. Seriously, it is a very hot climate in the summer, a full suite is brutal, plus I would not go into a large hive brood nest without a veil and a smoker. Joe Clemens, whom I got all my original stock from, is a very experienced local beekeeper in these parts and he does not wear a veil when working his own stock. Ask me in another year about AHB....

Rob,I just visited a friend in Las Vegas. He was interested in getting bees. I was going to set him up until I checked with a local beek that told me that they were working AHB's. I discourged him from getting them. Please keep me informed as to whether you have any trouble keeping your queens from being replaced by AHB queens.AHB's are not something new beeks should play with.Jim

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"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed. If you do read the newspaper you are misinformed."--Mark Twain

Rob,I just visited a friend in Las Vegas. He was interested in getting bees. I was going to set him up until I checked with a local beek that told me that they were working AHB's. I discourged him from getting them. Please keep me informed as to whether you have any trouble keeping your queens from being replaced by AHB queens.AHB's are not something new beeks should play with.Jim

Will do Jim. Though, currently I am not too worried about my queens being replaced by AHB queens. My larger concern is open mating with feral drones. Time will tell, though. I need to run the experiment on my own.